BURLINGTON ó A former state official who once led the Vermont Transportation Agency and for a time lead the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene has been named interim general manager of the Burlington Electric Department.

Neale Lunderville was named to the post Tuesday by Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger.

Lunderville will replace Barbara Grimes, who retired Monday.

The Burlington Free Press reported that by appointing Lunderville, Weinberger temporarily suspended the search for a permanent replacement for Grimes.

In a letter to the council Weinberger said that Lunderville would serve for six to nine months and receive an annual salary of $127,400.